Who'd have guessed that the late, great River Forester, Paul Harvey, would be the hit of this year's Super Bowl ads? A couple of years ago, it was Oak Park native (and nonagenarian) Betty White in the year's big commercial (playing football, no less) so Harvey is continuing our strong local connection.

It's been a tough time for green ash lovers, since the arrival of the emerald ash borer. The village has been taking ash trees down by the dozen because all are doomed by this voracious, invasive predator.

Last week, Republicans gathered at Bar Louie to watch Mitt Romney at the Republican Convention. This week, supporters of Barack Obama will gather at FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road in Berwyn (Clarence and Roosevelt) to watch the president's convention speech.

One of our resident film buffs (and art film advocate) Bill Higgins sent the following enticement to see Beasts of the Southern Wild, which continues its run at The Lake, where it was the second highest grossing film of the Labor Day weekend.

The Lake Theatre, which has been doing very well of late landing art and indie films for their demanding Oak Park audience, has booked one of the more noteworthy films of the year thus far. Beginning Friday, Beasts of the Southern Wild, will begin its run.

Over 400 people attended the retirement sendoff for Gloria Nash, who became an institution at West Suburban Montessori School, 1039 S. East Ave. in Oak Park. Mrs. Nash, who retired as supervisor of child care, started at West Suburban in 1979, and rarely missed a day.

Scoville Park, Oak Park's front lawn, site of summer concerts, Ultimate Frisbee games, sunbathing, strolling (with or without strollers), climbing on the WWI memorial, toddlers tumbling down the hill, and shortcuts to and from the train — all gone till next spring.

Yikes! The Oak Park Micro Brew Review was a big hit last Saturday. No less than the president of the Chicago Beer Society pronounced this the second biggest and best craft beer festival in the Midwest.

Here's where the term, "You don't see that every day," really applies. That was the case last week when a Wednesday Journal staff member went over to the 7-Eleven at East Avenue and South Boulevard during a lunch break.